Battle of Cerignola
Outside Cerignola, Apulia, southern Italy
What happened
A Spanish army under Gonzalo Fernández de Córdoba, called 'the Great Captain', fought a French army under the Duke of Nemours. Spain and France were fighting over the Kingdom of Naples. The Spanish dug a ditch in front of a hill and lined it with soldiers carrying arquebuses, early handheld guns, with pikemen behind them. The French armoured horsemen and foot soldiers charged again and again but could not get past the ditch, and the Duke of Nemours fell.
Why it matters
Why it matters: It is thought to be probably the first battle in Europe won mainly by small firearms. It showed that well-placed foot soldiers with guns and defences could beat armoured knights.
What came next
The French fell back to the fortress of Gaeta. Córdoba's infantry units, called coronelías, were the direct ancestors of the famous Spanish 'tercios'.
Did you know?
Gonzalo Fernández de Córdoba was known as 'El Gran Capitán', the Great Captain.
Timeline
- Before 28 April 1503The Spanish fortify a hill outside Cerignola and dig a ditch in front of it.
- 28 April 1503French charges fail at the ditch, and the Spanish win.
- 1503The French retreat to the fortress of Gaeta.